I'm a Professional Mom

I was surfing the Net and came across a 2004 Harris Poll about what Americans see as the most prestigious occupations. The two occupations that were seen to have the greatest prestige were doctor and scientist, followed by firemen, teachers, military officers, nurses, and police officers. The occupations garnering the least prestige were real estate agents, stockbrokers, accountants, journalists, bankers, actors, union leaders, lawyers, and in dead last place, business executives.

Oddly, the results demonstrated that job prestige - in the eyes of Americans - didn't depend upon money or celebrity. The Harris Poll demonstrated that prestige was "strongly associated with respect, public service, and good work." (The Harris Poll) Why then, I wondered, is motherhood not on the list of professions with the greatest prestige? Quite simply, it was because motherhood was not a choice given to those taking the poll.

I'm not surprised that it wasn't a choice. Unfortunately, though motherhood is the most difficult job in the world, a non-stop, 24/7, never ending, not over 'til you're in the grave job, it's not viewed as a profession in our society. It doesn't get the recognition it deserves. After all, what words better describe the occupation of mother than "respect, public service, and good work?" So the next time you're at a party, the grocery store, the post office, and someone asks you what you do for a living, make sure you speak up. Tell them you're a professional mom.